The Washington critic., 1887-12-20
HOW ALDER WAS KILLED
The Story Told in the Criminal Court
This Morning,
WHAT THE DEFENSE CLAIMS.
csssidorsSis Difncuity Experienced in Sc
curing jury.

curing n Jury.
The work of securing n jury in tho
case Of Lcwis Williams, charged with
fhe murder Of William G. Alder, was re-
umed this morning in the Criminal
Court. Forty additional names had
been drawn from the jury box yester-
,ay evening. NJ length twelve men
were obtained and the Court stated that
applications to he excused would now be
heard. Three men promptly rose to
their feet and asked TO be excused, be-
cause their business would suffer by
their absence.
After hearing the reasons given, Judge
Montgomery said that he had tried IN
every reasonable way not to inconve-
uisuce business men and was afraid that
ne had been almost too lenient. III
this Is a fair sample of the disposition
10 serve on jurics," said the Judge, sit
is no wonder that there should be so
much crime. 1t is almost appalling to
soc the anxiety 10 be excused. You are
lust the men we want here. II this is
The experience in all cases there will bo
very little time 10 try cases. Every de-
.irable man has some business. II l
were to excuse every man who asked it,,
| am afraid that we would not get a
Jury before tomorrow"
1--WE might get one out Of the work
house." remarked the District Attorney.
Two of the men were allowed to stand
aside and the work proceeded.
The following Jury was sworn exactly
at noon: Henry F. Bart, VIM. l..
Thompson, James Ricks, Edgar Ball,
Rdwafd Stevens, WIN. Callow, Chas.
". Lobe, George T. Wade, Lloyd Mox-
ley, Daniel sullivan, Francis G. Rund-
lett and Enoch Beard.
Tho witnesses on both sides were ex-
Guided from the court room and Mr..
Worthington .:proceeded to state the
case.
He said that the Government expects
u prove that the affair in question oc-
Cured on the evening of the LIST of 0cto-
her, between 7 and 8 o'clock, near Ben
nings. Williams was in Weeden's store
and manifested disposition to quarrel ,
and finally had some difficulty with
Thomas Alder, a son OF the deceased.
The father appeared, and took part in
the trouble.
Mr.. Wceden told them to go out.
They all quieted except Williams. Viii
liams was ordered out of the store but
refused to go. Alder volunteered to as
sist in pulling him out and showed him
through the door, throwing him to the
ground. Williams returned to the porch
OF the store, and while pacing up and
down gave vent to various threats. He
went away and picked up piece OF
brick. He returned and got partially
behind a wagon near Weeden's store
When Alder came out for some water
Williams approached him, and Alder
attempted to psdfy him. Williams made
no demonstration until Alder turned his
back, when he threw the piece of bricl
striking Alder in the head. Alder wa.
taken at once TO his house, where n,
died tho next day. Williams tried Il
hide himself, but was arrested the sam,
evening. He took away from the hous,
Of Himms, where he had taken refuge, ,
table knife. As he passed near the plac,
q whore the homocide was committed b,
dropped the knife. He picked 1t up ant
7 showed Tito the officer saying that tha
was the knife with which Alder woult
have killed him II he had not struck tn,
blow he did. Mr.. Worthington ex
pected to show q complete case of mur
der.
WHAT THE DHfENsE WILL SHOW.
Mr.. Hewlett stated that the defens
would show that Villains was youn
man of good habits, and that Alder an,
his son had been drinking and wer
quarrelsome. Alder had threatened h
kill Williams, and had tried to drive hin
from the village. He was pushed g.
thss he stepped upon the toe Of youn
Alder, which circumstance caused tn
trouble. Tho deceased jumped al hin
and pounded him. Alder left the stor
for some water to take with his whisky
He saw Williams, and went up to him
saying: Eyes, I've beaten you once, an
IN do II again" He next approaches
him with knife, and the defendan
struck him with the piece of brick i
self.defense.
WITNESSES CALLED.
d.. O. r. Luce was the first wiines
called, and stated that Alder Wa
brought to the Providence hospita
where the witness is employed. II
describes the wound as compoun
fracture on the left side Of the forehead
John r. Weeden, who keeps the stoi
near which the killing occurred, too
fhe stand and testified that William
had controversy with young abo,
stepping on his toe. Alder said that
Veeder was no. man enough TO p,
Wifliani,n.. he would assist him.
Everett V. Wilkinson, teamste
Nated thai hc was in the store when tf
altercatien occurred. When Weedc
,rdercd him to get out lie said that if !
would make the others get out he won
go Alder gathered him n.y. and p
him out. Williams started rs II lac we
going home. When Alder went out f
the water he saw him go and pat W
'iams on the shoulder Saying "Lew
don't be mad with me for what T.
done"
Williams said: "Stand back Mr.. Aid
oan talk to you just as well away fro
you rs can close up"
Alder turned and the witness who HI
tufned his head heard the sound OF
blow. He looked and saw Alder's h
falling from his head
Williams was walking away.
Mr.. Wall and His Horse.